Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-07-23
SHARP SENTENCED.

Jacob Sharp, was sentenced at New York,
on the 18th, heJudge having been too Ill to
be in court on the 18th, Wednesday night
Sharp slept better than for some nights pre-
vlous, but it seemed to be the sleep of utter
exhaustion, and he appeared to be but a
little refreshed by it when he rose at 9
O'Clock Thursday morning. His wife sat by
his bedside throughout the night tanning
him while he was asleep, and giving him
cooling drinks when he awoke at intervals.
After he rose from bed she assisted him to
dress for the second trip to the court of over
and terminer to receive sentence. He bore
the same listless Indifference, almost dazed
manner noticeable in him since his conyic-
ton. he appeared almost unconscious of
the attention his wife lavished upon him
and scarcely exchanged a word with her.
It was II 80 O'Clock when the carriage
minutes later it stopped before the county
court house. Sharp was so weak when go
ing to the carriage from the jail and on
leaving it on his way into the court house
and up the stairs to the court room it was
necessary for the officers guarding him to
support his tottering form.
After calling the court, Mr.. MARITIME got
up and stated that as he heard the defense
had some remarks to make he wished to
hear them. Mr.. Mitchell responded, saying
that he had no application to put in for a
delay, but would move for new trial, and
wished the stenographer to make note of
the fact.
Mr.. Mitchell then read the paper, stating
that the trial was an unfair one in several
ways; the jury was prejudiced against his
client and gave an unfair verdict. More
over, the Judges charge was an unjust one.
Barrett stated that the motion would be
denied.
District Attorney MARITIME then stood up
to move the court to sentence the prisoner.
He then read DR.. Hamilton's report on the
condition of Sing Sing and the arrange
ments for the care of the sick, which, he
said, were of a most excellent character all
around, and the place was most healthily
situated. "In view of these facts,n CON
cluded Mr.. MARITIME, .tthere is nothing left
for me to do but to move for the sentence
of the prisoner
the sentence He said that he had never
performed so delicate task in his whole
professional career. He had received MANY
letters from many people pleading for mer-
cy and otherwise. But a court was not ap-
pointed to be merciful any more than was
dictated by the laws of Justice. The defend.
dant herein asking for mercy can give moth.
ing as plea for clemency but age and
sickness On the merits of the case he GER
tainly is entitled to none. The crime itself
was an enormous one.
"What is there to excite pity or mercy ex
cept the age or i'll health of the prisoner and
the mourning condition of his family? With
over 81 900, 600 in his pocket he clamors fol-
mercy without offering to pay back penny
of the amount stolen. So that should he
die in prison his family has fat fortune t.
fall back upon"
At this Mrs. Sharp buried her face in he1
handkerchief and wept silently, while the
prisoner himself did not lift his face from
the table. The legislature does not allow
us to go below the minimum penalty in sucI
a grave fense as the present Isl continued
Judge Barrett. stAll cannot be satisfied
Those who clamor for the prisoners receiv
ing the full penalty of the law and those
calling for reprimand. All things have
been considered, and the Judgment OF thi.
court is that the prisoner be confined fou1
years at hard labor and that he pay a fine o.
S., 600.
Later in the day Judge Potter of the Su
preme Court granted stay of proceeding.
| until the 18th.